UK retail sales much lower than expected in January - as it happened

January high street performance fails to pick up after disappointing December 3.01pm GMT Despite hopes of a pick-up in high street spending after a poor December, UK retail sales came in weaker than expected in January.Sales of gym wear improved but food sales fell, according to the Office for National Statistics. 2.53pm GMT After five days of rises, US markets have edged higher at the start of the week’s final trading day.The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently up 35 points or 0.14%